Chip Kunde

Vice President of Government Relations, Sysco Corporation, Inc.

Chip Kunde brings over twenty years of experience in diverse legislative and private sector roles to his position leading government relations for Sysco Corporation. In this role, Chip leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive government relations strategy and organizational structure to promote and protect Sysco’s public policy interests at the local, state, federal and international levels. He works closely with subject matter experts from across the business and local commercial leaders to formulate and advance Sysco’s policy agenda. Chip collaborates with Operating Company leaders to build relationships with key government officials and increase awareness of Sysco’s business and economic impact in the communities where the company operates. Chip joined Sysco in April, 2015.

Prior to Sysco, Chip served as Senior Vice President of Government Relations at Darden Restaurants where he led Darden’s global government relations team responsible for setting strategic direction for legislative and political programs, building relationships with key stakeholders, managing a team of government relations professionals and consultants and engaging with senior management.

In addition to his corporate experience, Chip has held leadership position at several national and state trade associations. He served as the Senior Vice President of Legislative and Economic Affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association; Vice President of State Government Affairs at the Grocery Manufacturers Association; Executive Vice President at the Connecticut Association of Realtors; and Director of State and Municipal Affairs at the National Association of Realtors.

Chip is an active “servant leader” in his community and has served on several non-profit boards, community organizations and charities including Leadership Initiatives, College Summit – National Capital Region, Extraordinary Institute, and Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School’s Advancement Committee and Athletic Boosters.

Chip holds a Master’s of Public Administration (Executive, Legislative & Regulatory Management) from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.